Metro Manila, Philippines — Around 30,000 children benefited from the gift-giving program of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday, Dec. 8.
Marcos and the First Family led the “Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya” celebration at Malacañan Palace in Manila. A play area and food section were laid out across the Kalayaan Grounds.“Ang Pasko naman ay para sa mga kabataan kaya tinitiyak natin na kahit sino at napadpad sa malalayo, sa kanilang pamilya, sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay, ay kahit papa’no ay meron din silang Pasko,” Marcos said during the event.[Translation: Christmas is for the kids that is why we assure that any child who is far from their loved ones will also experience Christmas.]The president lamented the burden that Filipinos felt this year such as the El Niño and La Niña that brought harsh rains across the country.“Kaya sana naman mag-merry Christmas lang tayo kasi tayo ay nabigyan ng kaunting oras, kaunting pagkakataon na makasama ang ating mga mahal sa buhay, nakapag-celebrate ng kaunti, nakapagsaya ng kaunti at kumain ng masyadong maraming lechon saka hamon, ‘yan ang Pasko para sa Pilipino,” he added.[Translation: I hope we have a merry Christmas. We have been given a time, a chance to be with our loved ones to celebrate, enjoy, and eat lechon and ham, that is the Filipino Christmas.]The program was held simultaneously across the country.
